The following was read from the pulpit at our last Corporate Communion at Our Lady of the Pines.

This past week, the Knights of Columbus completed their annual Supreme Council convention for their 125^th year, and I would like to point out some of the highlights of that meeting which affect each of us.

For the first time ever, these proceedings were televised live on EWTN and the Canadian Salt and Light network, and carried online at EWTN.com. I think this is a sign you can expect a more vocal, public, and active Knights of Columbus both worldwide and locally.

Early in the meeting, our Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson proclaimed “What kind of Catholics do they think we are? Do they not know by now – that the Knights of Columbus will never cease to persevere against the evil of abortion?!” To this end, the Knights have helped write pro-life legislation ending partial-birth abortion, are working hard to overturn the legal basis of Roe v Wade, and have announced a world day of prayer against abortion next year.

Did you know Camp Victory in Baghdad Iraq has a Knights of Columbus round table sponsored by St Paul’s Parish here in Colorado Springs? This roundtable started with 2 Knights and has grown to over 30 – from italy, poland, canada, and the US – and are working to support St Basil Catholic Church and School located in downtown Baghdad. This is just another example of the order’s ability to evangelize across the globe. Our continued support for our men in uniform here and abroad, military and civil is truly remarkable and a great source of pride and motivation for our Order.

Last year, through fundraisers and dues, our organization – at 1.7 million members worldwide - surpassed our old record of charity by $4M – contributing nearly $144M and over 68 Million Man hours worldwide. Colorado Knights in particular recorded contributions amounting to 40 hrs each and $100 for every Knight. That may not seem like a big number – but Colorado boasts membership of 14,000 Catholic men.

In 125 years, our record of charity is second to none, and our commitment to the Catholic faith and support of Catholic families and clergy is exemplary. Our founder, Michael J McGivney, who is now being seriously considered for beatification – the first American Priest with this honor – had the forsight, wisdom, and inspiration to build an organization which is now the largest growing fraternal service organization in the world.

For the 15^th consecutive year, KofC insurance has earned the highest rating from S&P, and the highest rating for the 32^nd consecutive year from the AM Best Company. What does this mean to us? In a letter to our Supreme Knight, Beverly Buchanan – the wife of a recent fallen Knight writes – “I think that in this world where everyone is focused on the bottom line, I saw what the Knights are truly about. They were there for me when I needed them the most.” She is talking about our insurance program!

Closer to home, Our Lady of the Pines council supports special olympics, parish youth, missions to Avondale, vocations in priesthood and leadership, pro-life charities, parish needs, disadvantaged youth at the Arc, memorial for our deceased priests, care for the elderly and incarcerated. And all that was just in the last two months!

We also have an active and charitable ladies auxiliary who are also commited to Catholic family values, take pro-life seriously, and teach us how to cook and clean. J

Practical Catholic men of our parish – what are you waiting for? Consider yourself invited! Follow the example of great men - Fr Michael McGivney, Sam Alito, Jeb Bush, John F Kennedy, Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, and our own Bishop Sheridan and Fr Mike Butler - and join our team.